If you are reading this, you may have overheard your kid saying “skibidi.” Slang is constantly evolving and we are just trying our best to keep up. Penn decided to write a parody of “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone about the new words we are hearing. We called it “A Message to Gen Z.” Comments came in fast, apparently we were wrong and words like Ohio and gyat are from Gen Alpha? And someone recommended we all needed Duolingo for teen slang. So…we made a video version here!
Gen Alpha vs. Gen Z: What’s the Difference?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, it’s crucial to understand who’s who. Gen Z refers to those born roughly between 1997 and 2012, while Gen Alpha, the newest generation, includes those born from 2010 onwards. So the youngest Gen Z-er and oldest Gen Alpha-ers (that’s probably not right), have an overlap around ages 12-14. Which coincidentally happens to be the age when these kids are bringing slang home.
However, there’s a pretty different cultural difference between these two generations. Gen Z, slang often draws from internet culture, memes, and early social media. Words like “lit” and “savage” have become staples in their vocabulary. On the other hand, Gen Alpha’s lingo is shaped by even newer technology and digital environments. I mean, babies born this year are considered Gen Alpha so it is constantly evolving…and honestly, very confusing.
When Slang Was “Bad”
Of course, we can’t talk about slang without accepting that this happens every generation. I remember back in the day when “bad” meant good. We came home and our parents scoffed at phrases like “rad” or “gnarly”? It’s a rite of passage for every generation to have their slang ridiculed by the older crowd. Gen Alpha is no exception. But I don’t know guys, I feel like I need a translator for these new words.
On that video of Penn singing about Gen Alpha slang, someone commented, “We need Duolingo for this stuff!” And they aren’t wrong. For instance, phrases like “cap” and “no cap” (meaning lying or not lying) or “rizz” and “L rizz” (aka charisma or no charisma) keep us on our toes. That’s why we put out our Alphalingo video, to laugh at the ridiculousness that is this new slang. We also put out this video for other parents to try to understand these new words…but definitely not use.
The Eye Roll Factor
Understanding Gen Alpha slang can help bridge the communication gap and offer insights into the new generation. When older generations try to adopt it, it can come off as disingenuous. And you are definitely going to get some eye rolls. But there is nothing wrong with trying to learn what the heck our kids are saying.
Interestingly, some teachers have led the way in teaching others Gen Alpha slang because usually, they are the first to hear it. When doing research for the Alphalingo video, middle school teacher Mr. Lindsay on TikTok was a huge help. I’m guessing that when teachers try to familiarize themselves with these terms they can better engage with their students (and bonus points for making sure nothing inappropriate is happening). Another great reminder that teachers are amazing and deserve the whole world.
So basically, try to learn new slang but definitely don’t use it but be sure to know what your kids are saying but please don’t embarrass them. It’s a fine line and just another part of being a parent. But hopefully taking the time to understand it can offer valuable insights into the new generation’s world. Wishing you luck in all your future decoding endeavors and maybe one day Alphalingo will actually exist? Or maybe let’s not.
Gen Alpha Slang Dictionary
L rizz – No Charisma
Gyat – Booty
Ohio – Cringe
Fanum tax – Taking someone’s food
Cap – A lie
Mid – Basic
Sigma – Cool (The internet is divided on this but this is the best we can decipher)
What the Sigma – What the heck
What slang did we miss? Let us know in the comments.
